[TommyK]

OK i unfortunately have to park my car outside during the night (don't worry i cover it every night) and when i go to start up my car i get this rushing, griding and rubbing sound that comes from the lower portion of my engine compartment near that cockpit. i took it to the dealer before any mods were done and complained about it. they flew in the engineer to look at it and ran a smoke test on it and some other stuff and had no idea what it was. it only happens on cold starts in the morning about 1/3 of the time and if you hold the brake the entire time during start up when you press the start button.

BTW the car only has 21K miles

does anyone have any ideas on what this is?

Thanks

[Dr Dre]

I have a similar problem. Ive had the idler pulleys, belt and airconditioner compressor replaced. The noise is still there in the mornings. BMW dealer is going to replace alternator and power steering pump next to see if its a bearing thats stuffed.

[jermc68]

Any update on this? Mine makes a very short (~ 1 second or so) high pitched screech/squeal noise only on startup on cold mornings after the car has sat all night. I took it in to have them look at it and they said it was normal and they sometimes do that on startup. Some line about it is something to do with the alternator. I think it's BS because it only started doing it after 2 years and mostly during cold weather (< approx. 55F) I have youtubed and searched here for others with that noise to no avail. It almost sounds like those cars with a loose belt but it is only for just a second though on startup and even if I turn the car off afterwards, the noise doesn't come back. It's very very strange.

I'm sitting at about 47k miles and the noise started at maybe 40-44k. I had to wait for cold weather because the dealer gave me the infamous "CND" line.

[Pyrat 2]

Weird. I too have been hearing a weird sound at startup I thought it was related to the starter motor possibly not disengaging properly. This only happens when the engine is cold and the weather is very cold. Just started happening this year/winter too (bought my car in 05). I am noticing that everyone responding to this thread has an 06 e90. I plan on bringing my car in soon for an unscheduled oil change and will have them look at this too.

[Dr Dre]

Im still having the problem. They have changed power steering pump, alternator, idler pulleys, a/c pump etc. The noise is still there. Same as you guys. Only when its cold and will only happen on the first start up. After that, you wont hear it till the car hasnt been used again for about 7 hours. Its been back at the dealer of a total of 18 days now. Im starting to think that the E90 is a lemon with the amount of problems i have had since new.

[Yahooitsme]

I was getting a weird (Growling) at startup when I engaged gear (R or D) first thing in the morning. The garage replaced the belt tensioner but the noise remained. BMW recommended replacing the alternator. This was completed the other day and the noise is gone.

[dzenno]

I got this sound 3 times this morning and each time I quickly pressed the start button again to turn it off. For me it doesn't turn the car on and I'm afraid of leaving that sound longer than 2 secs as it sounds reaaaly bad and it's loud!

Always happens when the car has been suiting all night on startup in the morning.

Anyone figure this out?

[Akras]

Is this sound?

[TommyK]

^ ya thats the sound lol, i was told its the engine burning off the fumes from a cold start but that the dealer telling me that so anything can be true there

[DimSum]

I noticed the same thing, grinding and ticking... But after the cars warmed up theres no problems. So I'm going to leave it be, I've heard many BMW's are the same especially in -10c weather.

[Politico]

My 06 330i makes the same sound. Make it when the engine has been sitting for a while... not necessarily when it's cold. Just did it this morning after sitting overnight in 50 degree weather. i plan on asking the dealership when I take it in for the 30k mile service.

[chrisE92]

just got this sound today. tommy, are you still getting it?

I strongly believe that it's related to leaving the car outside overnight in cold weather. I know my parking structure can get pretty cold at night, and it's raining in LA today, so that would explain it happening only after last night (otherwise, my car starts up fine).

[rault18]

u guys need to read the first sticky thread on the general area

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13504

[chrisE92]

Originally Posted by rault18

u guys need to read the first sticky thread on the general area

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13504

I don't think it's the same sound. Then again, I'm not gonna read through 66 pages looking for a sound clip..

I just got it again today.

[e90pilot]

Originally Posted by Akras

Is this sound?

Yup! That's it for me too. That's a grinding starter. The bendix isn't retracting all the way and it grinds when the flywheels speeds up after the engine starts. My clutch and flywheel are almost done so I'll replace it all when the clutch finally goes.

[chrisE92]

Originally Posted by e90pilot

Yup! That's it for me too. That's a grinding starter. The bendix isn't retracting all the way and it grinds when the flywheels speeds up after the engine starts. My clutch and flywheel are almost done so I'll replace it all when the clutch finally goes.

but then how do you explain the fact that it only happens when it's extremely cold?

[e90pilot]

Maybe when it's warm the bendix slides in an out easier? It's definatly a grinding starter and it will kill itself and the flywheel eventually.

[Dr Dre]

Just had my starter motor replaced about 3 months ago. No more noise at start up. Apparantly the bendix sticks on a bush when cold on initial start.

[gkdirect]

Originally Posted by charles.stewart@rte.ie

I was getting a weird (Growling) at startup when I engaged gear (R or D) first thing in the morning. The garage replaced the belt tensioner but the noise remained. BMW recommended replacing the alternator. This was completed the other day and the noise is gone.

Hi

I have the same model BMW E90 318i Automatic (07) and have the same problem, get this growling noise at startup in the morning when I first engage either R or D gear. Taken the car to two local garages and they both can't diagnose/trace the fault, can't find any problem with the car. Would it be the alternator that needs replacing then after reading the above quote???

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

[micah_675]

Sounds like the solenoid on your starter is sticking. Which makes sense when its on cold starts. It isnt pushing the bendix out far enough to catch the flywheel teeth. Which means you are grinding the teeth off your flywheel. You need to pull your starter and check to make sure you havent completely eaten any teeth off the flywheel. If you have chock that up as a loss. Replace the starter ASAP if you are missing teeth you need to replace the flywheel with it.

It happens when its cold because it is an electrical part. If there is any additional friction or if your battery is getting weak it will not fully engage the flywheel.

[Volasko]

Originally Posted by Akras

Is this sound?

Can I add my car to the list who experience that noise on cold start-ups! I still have a CPO warranty so maybe I can get a new starter/flywheel out of it?!?!?

[gkdirect]

Thanks for the comments I will feedback to Garage.

If it turns out to be something else I will drop details on the threads.